Middle East Journal of Rehabilitation and Health Studies
Volume:3 Issue: 1, Jan 2016

Given that family health is tied to women health, illness, or death of a woman has an adverse effect on the health of her child, family, and community; awareness of women’s preferences in receiving health information can help to improve and modify the methods of informing and providing appropriate services to them, and also makes pregnant women training more efficient and more effective.

The aim of this study is to prioritize the preferences of women before and during pregnancy on receiving health information.

This descriptive study was performed on pregnant women who had referred to health care centers affiliated to Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2014. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was developed.

The results showed that 17.5% (n = 35) of the participants reported their information needs about physical health to become pregnant, 36% (n = 72) psychological readiness for pregnancy and 57.5% (n = 115) domestic violence and its impact on the health of the mother and fetus. Number of previous delivery had a negative and significant relationship with the pregnant women’s preferences (B = - 1.31, P < 0.001).

It is concluded that the most of pregnant women are oblivious to their health for getting pregnant and some of them experience symptoms of mental disorders in reproductive age. The findings show that domestic violence is a hidden and persistent epidemic among the pregnant women. Women, who had more previous delivery, needed this information less

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Some studies support that chronic inflammation of prostate tissue plays a role in the development of PC. A variety of growth factors and cytokines may lead to proinflammatory processes within the prostate.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of eight weeks of regular resistance training and prostatic massage on proinflammatory markers) CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA levels in males with PC).

Forty-five patients with PC were selected for this study. They were randomized into either the resistance training intervention group (n = 15), the massage intervention group (n = 15), or the control group (n = 15). Resistance-training patients participated in resistance training for eight weeks, and massage was performed for six weeks on the massage group. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data (P ≤ 0.05).

In the resistance training group, IL-10 levels significantly increased after four (P = 0.055) and eight weeks (P = 0.000). Four and eight weeks of resistance training showed a significant reduction in PSA, CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (P < 0.05). Patients of massage intervention showed an increase in IL-10 after four (P = 0.045) and six weeks (P = 0.005). In addition, four and six weeks of massage intervention showed a significant reduction in PSA, CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (P < 0.05).

Regular resistance training and prostatic massage can improve proinflammatory markers and PSA levels in men with PC.

An elevated level of bilirubin in the blood is the most common and benign problem among newborns; it is also the most important factor in the evaluation of neonatal jaundice in newborns. If severe indirect hyperbilirubinemia is left untreated, it can be neurotoxic; therefore, doctors cannot overstate the need for the early detection of hyperbilirubinemia.

We investigated the relationship between the skin and plasma methods of the quality of the BiliChek process as a means of diagnosing hyperbilirubinemia

This study was performed at Amiralmomenin hospital in Semnan, Iran and examined 64 healthy infants who had gestational ages of 37 weeks and greater and jaundice as their sole cause for hospitalization. Infants hospitalized due to other diseases, such as sepsis, were excluded from the study. First, a blood sample was taken to determine the infants’ serum total bilirubin. Then, the amount of bilirubin was determined with BiliChek placed on three locations: the infants’ foreheads, chests, and left thighs.

SD ± mean values of the skin method on each forehead, chest, and thigh were respectively (3.5 ± 13.8, 12.8 ± 3.5 and 9.7 ± 2.6 mg per deciliter); using the plasma method, bilirubin SD ± mean was 14.4 ± 4.0, so that the skin method in all three areas was lower than the plasma method. Variables such as the type of delivery, birth rank, blood type, birth weight, and maternal age are independent of hyperbilirubinemia level, and there is no significant relationship between them. There is only a significant relationship between bilirubin levels and a baby’s age, as there is a significant relationship to birth (P = 0.000). Cut off point for the use of BiliChek in the forehead has been set at 3.13 milligrams per deciliter, and the sensitivity and specificity levels are 83.87% and 92.59%, respectively. As for the chest, it was 3.13 mg dL, with sensitivity and specificity levels of 83.87% and 96.30%, respectively. For the thigh, it was 9.7 mg per dL, with sensitivity and specificity levels of 83.87% and 96.30% respectively. There is no significant difference between the three areas mentioned in the skin method for predicting hyperbilirubinemia.

In our study, we determined that BiliChek can be used in the diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia, but this use is limited and applies only to the cutoff point and for values higher than the cutoff point. BiliChek is used as a means of screening for infants that need blood sampling.

The lateral wall press (WP) exercise is one of the weight-bearing exercises used in gluteal muscle strengthening programs. However, little is known about the muscle activity level of the gluteus maximus (Gmax) on the weight-bearing side during the lateral WP exercise. The primary actions of the Gmax are hip extension and hip external rotation. In addition, the superior area of the Gmax also functions as a hip abductor. We hypothesized that not only lateral but also frontal WP exercise might be suitable for Gmax strengthening.

The purpose of this study was to quantify electromyographic (EMG) activity of Gmax in weight-bearing side during lateral and frontal WP exercise.

Twelve healthy women (university students) participated in this study. The surface EMG was used to quantify the activity of the Gmax on the weight-bearing side during lateral and frontal WP exercises. The exercises were done with opposite leg. A paired t-test was used to examine the significance of differences in the Gmax activity between the lateral and frontal WP exercises.

The means ± standard deviations of the averaged EMG during the lateral and frontal WP exercises were 40.1 ± 19.1, and 23.7 ± 11.3 µV, respectively. Those of the percent maximal voluntary contraction during the lateral and frontal WP exercises were 51.4 ± 29.7, and 31.3 ± 20.5, respectively. Gmax activity during the lateral WP exercise was significantly higher than that during the frontal WP exercise

The results of this study indicate that the lateral WP exercise is more suitable than the frontal WP exercise for strengthening the Gmax on the weight-bearing side.

Falls are very common in older adults. The activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale is an instrument used to measure confidence in balance, hitherto available only in the English language. There is a need for a Hindi version of the ABC scale for subjects whose primary language is Hindi, as the availability of a self-administered scale in subjects’ native language will make clinical management and research more effective.

The aim of this study was to translate the activities-specific balance confidence scale into a Hindi version (ABC-H), cross-culturally adapt it, assess its psychometric properties, and establish the normative value of self-perceived balance confidence scores of Indian older adults.

One hundred community-dwelling, Indian older adults participated in the study. ABC-H was developed through a standard cross-cultural adaptation procedure. Eight items from the original ABC scale were modified. A subsample of 50 subjects was re-assessed for test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM), minimum detectable change (MDC), and concurrent validity, using the fall efficacy scale (FES-I) to analyze the psychometric properties.

The normative value of ABC-H total score observed in the Indian older population (n = 100) was 71%, ranging from 41.25 to 95.63. In the subsample of 50 subjects, test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.97). All 16 items had excellent to good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.97 - 0.88); SEM was 2.45, MDC95 was 6.9%, with excellent concurrent validity (r = -0.85, P < 0.0001).

The Hindi version of the ABC scale demonstrated acceptable measurement properties, showing that ABC-H can be used for assessing balance confidence in Hindi-speaking, community-dwelling Indian older adults. It can be an assessment tool either for clinical management or research

Hand grip strength (HGS) is a predictor of upper extremity function and changes in muscle strength, physical movement and ability to undertake activities of daily living. Body mass index (BMI) is a critical indicator of physical health; however, the relationship between HGS and BMI has not yet been thoroughly examined.

The current study aims to compare HGS in low, medium, and high BMI males and females in both hands, and also investigates the correlation between HGS and anthropometric characteristics among the three BMI groups.

The study included 200 participants who were divided into three groups based on their BMI (60 low, 58 medium, and 82 high). HGS was assessed using a hand-held Jamar dynamometer. BMI was assessed by an electric body-weight height analysis machine. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at P < 0.05.

The results showed that there were significant differences in HGS (26.80 ± 5.83, 34.55 ± 7.84, and 42.30 ± 5.35 kgf; P < 0.001) among low, medium, and high BMI subjects, respectively. However, in this study ANCOVA was based on the covariance of sex; the three groups did not show major variations in RHGS and L-RHGS (P > 0.05). Weight and height strongly correlated with HGS for hands (correlation (r) ranged from 0.000 - 0.775). Regression analysis showed that when using sex and BMI as independent variables for predicting the dependent variable HGS, the coefficient of the determinant R2 was 0.753 (P < 0.001).

The current study revealed that a significant difference existed in HGS among the low, medium, and high BMI groups. A positive correlation existed between HGS and weight and height, while sex was the most significant factor affecting HGS. These findings can serve as a reference to assess HGS prediction, whereby the sex effect should be considered.

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder presenting with inability to perform daily activities independently. Because SPS is a rare disorder, the efficacy of physiotherapy in the management of SPS is not yet known.

The patient was a 65-year-old female with SPS diagnosed 1 year before. Assessments were performed, such as range of motion, muscle strength, pain, balance, and functional mobility. She had shoulder pain, with a score of 5/10 on the numerical pain rating scale for both shoulders. Moreover, her muscle strength was impaired. Although the patient could not maintain an upright position or walk, she had sitting balance. The physiotherapy functional mobility profile (PFMP) was scored as 35/63. She received 14 sessions of physiotherapy intervention, which included exercises to improve strength, flexibility, posture, balance, and functional mobility. Walking exercises were performed after the patient gained the ability to maintain an upright stance. Her muscle strength and posture improved, and her pain disappeared. The patient could maintain upright position and began to walk with a walker. At the end of the physiotherapy program, the PFMP was scored as 49/63, and the patient was able to walk 20 m with a walker without need to rest.

Inpatient physiotherapy management for SPS seems effective in improving balance, gait, and functional mobility

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease which is caused by demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS) in young adults. This disease affects independence and the ability to participate in family and community activities, thus affecting the quality of life.

This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the associations between fatigue, disability, and mobility and the quality of life in patients with MS in the city of Semnan, Iran.

Sixty-six MS patients completed the Rivermead mobility index (RMI), Guy’s neurological disability scale (GNDS), modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS), and Multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 (MSQL-54) questionnaires, which assessed the physical and mental health of the participants in 12 dimensions.

The results of this study showed significant correlations between fatigue (P = 0.002), disability (P < 0.001), and the quality of life. A significant relationship between mobility and physical activity (P < 0.05) was also observed, while no significant relationship was found between mobility and mental health. Moreover, no significant associations were seen between the quality of life and age, occupation, education, or gender (P > 0.05).

Our findings indicate that fatigue and disability may affect a patient’s quality of life. Although mobility may affect the overall quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis, it may also affect the physical health of MS patients. Therefore, the identification of factors affecting the quality of life in MS patients may help in predicting the quality of life, and designing a rehabilitation protocol.